Unfortunately, my time in Switzerland has been slowly winding down. Now that I have a bit over a week left, I’ve been reflecting a lot on how much I have gained from this experience. From the people I’ve met to the sights I’ve seen, it’s humbling to know that I have been so lucky to experience the wonders of Switzerland. I was also lucky enough to travel with support from the Frederick’s Honors College. A few weeks ago, I presented at the 2026 International Society for Anthrozoology conference in Paris!
Here I am presenting at ISAZ 2026! I was lucky enough to be selected for a poster presentation, and I explained my research with Dr. Rauktis on the Emotional Worlds of Foster Children & Pets!
In Paris, I was able to see the catacombs, Notre Dame, Musee d’Orsay, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It was a short train ride from Zurich, and there I noticed how Swiss culture differs from that of another country just a few hours away. Most train stations require you to check your ticket before entering the departure area or boarding the train. However, in Switzerland, or at least at Zürich HB, you simply walk and get on the train you’d like, and I’d say 7/10 times someone comes and checks your ticket! The interconnectedness of Switzerland with its expansive railroad network makes traveling as easy.
Knowing that my time here is coming to an end, I decided to look up some of the hardest hikes in Switzerland, and that’s where I found the Hardergrat Trail. An impressive 20-36km hike, depending on your level of experience. So, of course, I went and hiked the trail, which ended up taking ~10 hours and covering a total distance of 24 km. While my legs are still sore, it turned out to be one of the most breathtaking experiences I’ve had. This hike stands to be equally as beautiful as challenging, with over 6,000ft of elevation gain (and we only did 24 out of the potential 36).
As you can see, this is a ridge hike; it’s a narrow path, about the width of a person, to walk across while going up the very ridges pictured. While the views were breathtaking, the best part of the hike was swimming in the lake pictured above. Swimming in the glacial waters of Switzerland stands to be one of the best experiences you could have here. For a place called the “Alpine Country,” its history has always centered on enjoying beautiful views and embracing nature. I look forward to the days ahead and the new adventures, but I will never forget how beautiful Switzerland is!